A fluid container that includes body that provides a fluid reservoir. Additionally, the fluid container can also include an outlet structure. The outlet structure can include a conduit that extends from an outlet of the fluid container to the fluid reservoir. Moreover, the fluid container can include an outlet barrier and an interior barrier. The outlet barrier can be positioned within the conduit of the outlet structure in proximity to the outlet of the fluid container. Additionally, the outlet barrier can be structured to receive an inlet extension of a container device. The interior barrier can be positioned within the conduit of the outlet structure in proximity to the fluid reservoir. Additionally, the interior barrier can be displaceable relative to the outlet structure by the inlet extension.
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6. A fluid container comprising:
a body providing a fluid reservoir;
an outlet structure including a conduit that extends from an outlet of the fluid container to the fluid reservoir;
an outlet barrier positioned within the conduit of the outlet structure in proximity to the outlet of the fluid container, the outlet barrier being structured to receive an inlet extension of a container device; and
an interior barrier that is buoyant in a fluid of the fluid reservoir, the interior barrier originally being positioned within the conduit of the outlet structure proximate the fluid reservoir, and being releasable relative to the outlet structure by the inlet extension to open fluid flow from the fluid reservoir.
5. An ink container comprising:
a body providing a fluid reservoir;
an outlet structure including a conduit that extends from an outlet of the ink container to the fluid reservoir;
an outlet barrier positioned within the conduit of the outlet structure in proximity to the outlet of the ink container, the outlet barrier being structured to receive an inlet extension of a container device; and
a seal positioned within the conduit of the outlet structure in proximity to the fluid reservoir, the seal being detachable from the outlet structure by the inlet extension to open fluid flow from the fluid reservoir, wherein the seal is formed from a polypropylene material that is buoyant in a fluid of the fluid reservoir.
1. An ink container comprising:
a body providing a fluid reservoir;
an outlet structure including a conduit that extends from an outlet of the ink container to the fluid reservoir;
an outlet barrier spanning the conduit of the outlet structure in proximity to the outlet of the ink container, the outlet barrier being structured to receive an inlet extension of a container device; and
a seal positioned within the conduit of the outlet structure in proximity to the fluid reservoir, wherein the seal is formed from a plastic material that is buoyant in a fluid of the fluid reservoir, the seal being released from the outlet structure by insertion of the inlet extension such that the seal floats on the fluid in the fluid reservoir, thereby opening fluid flow from the fluid reservoir.
3. The ink container of
4. The ink container of
8. The fluid container of
9. The fluid container of
11. The fluid container of
13. The fluid container of
14. The fluid container of
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Fluid ejection devices can include fluid storage components. In some examples, the fluid storage components can store ink. In other examples, these fluid storage components can store toner. In such examples, the fluid storage components can be refillable.
The disclosure herein is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements, and in which:
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description. However, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.
Examples provide for a fluid container with an outlet structure assembly that can alleviate or prevent spillage of fluid (e.g., ink or toner) during the transfer of fluid from the fluid container to a receiving container of a fluid ejection device. In some examples, the outlet structure assembly can include a conduit that extends from a retention structure of the fluid container. Additionally, the outlet structure assembly can be structured to provide a controlled release of fluid that is in the retention structure of the fluid container. In various examples, the outlet structure assembly can also include an interior barrier that can preclude fluid from the retention structure from reaching the release location. In such examples, the outlet structure assembly can be dimensioned to receive an extension or interconnector from a fluid ejection device that engages and releases the interior barrier into the retention structure. The interior barrier can be buoyant as to cause the interior barrier to travel away from the extension and not block a mouth of the extension, when the extension releases the interior barrier into the retention structure. That way the extension can enter and access the fluids stored in the retention structure to obtain the fluid without the need for the interior barrier to be removed before engagement between the extension and the fluid container.
Examples as described recognize that an outlet structure assembly for a fluid container can enable the fluid container to engage with fluid ejection device (e.g., a printer device) without the need to remove the interior barrier first. Current implementations for conventional fluid containers usually include a seal fixed to the outside lip of an outlet of the conventional fluid container. As such, the conventional fluid container requires that the seal be removed prior to transferring the fluids from the fluid container to the receiving container. Additionally, among other benefits, examples as described recognize that the pressure in the fluid container with the outlet structure assembly can increase (e.g., due to changing altitudes or a change in temperature). In such examples, the outlet structure assembly can enable the fluid container to vent any excess pressure in the fluid container into the receiving container, when the fluid container with the outlet structure assembly engages with the receiving container.
System Description
As illustrated in
As shown in
Additionally, as shown in
As described, outlet structure assembly 100 can prevent fluid in a fluid container (e.g., a supply ink bottle) from spilling during the transfer of the fluid from the fluid container to a container device. For example, the fluid container can be a supply ink bottle that includes a body that holds or includes a fluid reservoir, and a neck that provides an outlet for fluid stored in the fluid reservoir. In such a configuration, outlet structure assembly 100 can be positioned within the neck of the bottle such that outlet structure 106 extends from the fluid reservoir of the fluid bottle to an outlet of the neck. Additionally, interior barrier 104 can prevent the fluid from reaching outlet barrier 102. Moreover, outlet barrier 102 can provide a controlled release of the fluid in fluid reservoir if interior barrier 104 is released from outlet structure 106 and an inlet extension from a container device penetrates outlet barrier 102 and displaces interior barrier 104.
In some examples, outlet structure assembly 100 can include additional structures to retain interior barrier 104 in outlet structure 106. For example, an interior wall of a conduit of outlet structure 106 can be shaped to include or be coupled to a retaining feature. Additionally, interior barrier 104 can include a retaining element. In such an example, the retaining element of interior barrier 104 can lock into position when engaged with the retaining feature of outlet structure 106. In some examples, an interior wall of a conduit of outlet structure 106 can be shaped to include or be coupled to a retaining feature.
In some examples, a retaining feature can form an overhang structure with an undercut feature and a retaining element of interior barrier 104 can include a beaded element. Additionally, the beaded element of interior barrier 104 can engage and lock into the undercut feature of the overhang structure. In other examples, the retaining feature can form an overhang structure and the retaining element of the interior barrier 104 can include a rib structure. In such examples, the rib structure of interior barrier 104 can engage with the overhang structure of the retaining feature (e.g., by positioning the rib structure of interior barrier 104 past the overhanging structure of outlet structure 106). In other examples, the retaining feature can include a hinging mechanism that allows interior barrier 104 to be coupled to the wall and still be displaceable from its original position. For example, in examples where an interconnector or an inlet from a fluid ejection device that engages and releases interior barrier 106, interior barrier 106 can be moved from its original position such that interior barrier 106 does not block a mouth of the inlet or interconnector. As such, the inlet or interconnector can obtain fluid from the fluid container. In yet other examples, outlet structure 106 can include a retaining feature and interior barrier 104 can include a beaded element.
In some examples, interior barrier 104 can be formed from a material that is impermeable to prevent fluid from passing through outlet structure 106 from reaching outlet barrier 102. Additionally, in some examples, the material that interior barrier 104 can be formed from can also be buoyant in a fluid of a fluid container. Examples of such materials include, plastic materials, LDPE (low-density polyethylene) materials, polypropylene materials, etc.
In some examples, outlet structure assembly 100 can include additional structures to retain outlet barrier 102.
In some examples, an outlet structure assembly may include the conduit of a fluid container. For example, as illustrated in
In some examples, an interior wall of a conduit of outlet structure 106 can be shaped to include or be coupled to a retaining feature. In such examples, the retaining element of interior barrier 104 can include a beaded element that can engage and lock into the undercut feature of the overhang structure. In other examples, interior wall of a conduit of outlet structure 106 can be shaped to include or be coupled to a retaining feature that can be formed to an overhang structure. In such examples, the retaining element of interior barrier 104 can include a rib structure that can engage with the overhang structure of the retaining feature (e.g., by positioning the rib structure of interior barrier 104 past the overhanging structure of the conduit of the fluid container). In yet other other examples, the retaining feature can include a hinging mechanism that allows interior barrier 104 to be partially released from the conduit of the fluid container. For example, in examples where an interconnector or an inlet from a fluid ejection device that engages and releases interior barrier 106, interior barrier 106 can be moved from its original position such that interior barrier 106 does not block a mouth of the inlet or interconnector. As such, the inlet or interconnector can obtain fluid from the fluid container.
In some examples, a fluid container with an outlet structure assembly or inlet extension can engage with a container device, such as a fluid ejection device, to transfer the fluid in the fluid container into a receiving container of the fluid ejection device (e.g., a printer). Additionally, the outlet structure assembly can include an outlet barrier, an interior barrier and an outlet structure. In such examples, the fluid ejection device can obtain fluid from the fluid container through outlet structure assembly without first removing the interior barrier prior to engagement between the fluid container and the fluid ejection device.
In some examples, outlet barrier 208 can be dimensioned to receive extension 214.
Extension 214 can release interior barrier 206 into body 202 to obtain fluid from fluid container 200.
As described, extension 214 can obtain fluid from fluid container 200 without first removing interior barrier 206 prior to the engagement of fluid container 200 with outlet structure assembly 204. That way, outlet structure assembly 204 can alleviate spillage of fluid from fluid container 200 during the transfer of the fluid from fluid container 200 to receiving container 212 of a fluid ejection device.
Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific examples shown and described without departing from the scope of the disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific examples discussed herein.
McCourt, Zachary, Edwards, William J., Dewey, James, Hagen, David M.
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
May 10 2018 | MCCOURT, ZACHARY | HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L P | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 052975 | /0794 | |
May 10 2018 | DEWEY, JAMES | HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L P | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 052975 | /0794 | |
May 10 2018 | HAGEN, DAVID M | HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L P | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 052975 | /0794 | |
May 15 2018 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
May 15 2018 | EDWARDS, WILLIAM J | HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L P | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 052975 | /0794 |
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